How to Absorb Oil Out of Carpet

Apply cornstarch to the oil and then vacuum it to lift a lot of the spilled oil.

When hosting a dinner party, you can expect a few accidents in which guests drop pieces of food. When the night's over and it's time to clean up, you may find oil stains on your carpet, especially if your appetizers and salads contained olive oil. Even if you or your guests pick up any dropped lettuce or bruschetta, remnants of the oil will penetrate the carpet's fibers and leave behind a stain. Minimize the damage by blotting excess oil and using a grease-fighting detergent to remove any marks.

1

Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the stain, and let it sit for 15 minutes to absorb the oil. Run your fingers over the carpet to get the absorbent material deeper into the fibers, if necessary.

2

Vacuum the carpet to suck up the baking soda or cornstarch. Repeat sprinkling the absorbent material and vacuuming, if necessary.

3

Apply dry cleaning solvent to a white cloth. Dab the stain until it's gone or until the oil no longer transfers to the cloth.

4

Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water in a bowl.

5

Dip a cloth in the solution, and dab the stain until it's gone. Blot the area with a dry portion of the cloth or a towel to absorb the liquid.

6

Rinse the carpeted area with a sponge dampened in cold water. Blot dry with a towel.

Things You Will Need

Baking soda or cornstarch

Vacuum

White cloths

Dry-cleaning solvent

Liquid dish soap

White distilled vinegar

Bowl

Sponge

Towel

Warning

About the Author

Jennifer Pinto has been an editor and reporter since 1999, working with newspapers in the Midwest and on the East Coast. She serves as a contributor for several print and online publications, covering business, real estate, religion, home improvement and interior design. Pinto earned her B.A. in English and psychology at Northern Illinois University.